It’s a quandary we’ve all faced. At a Christmas family get-together, a loved one hands you a carefully wrapped gift, adorned beautifully with bow and ribbon, and watches you carefully as you open it.

Brimming with anticipation, you gleefully tear off the paper. Hiding underneath is something you had your eye on. But, your cursory inspection reveals, there’s something wrong. It’s … the wrong size. The wrong color. The wrong style. The next moments are crucial. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but you don’t want to lie, either. Inside, you quickly make up your mind you’re going to return it.

Stores are now full of people who have faced the same situation. The holiday return season is upon us. According to Oporto, a technology company that helps companies handle returned and excess inventory, Americans will return about $90 billion in gifts this year. Retailers have been expecting this activity and should be ready for you.

But before you head out to join the out-the-door line at the return desk, there are a few things to remember. Many people have set out to return an item, only to be disappointed because of one of several common assumptions.

First, it’s important to remember that not all return policies are created equal. Retailers vary widely on their return policies, so read up on the policy before you leave the house. Return policies at some stores are very generous; at others, miserly. And despite longstanding myths, retailers are under no legal obligation to let you return a gift unless it is defective or was sold under false pretenses.

Paper receipts are still a thing. The era of the paper receipt is not over, despite the fact many merchants can verify your purchase by using the credit or debit card with which the giver paid. A thoughtful giver will include a gift receipt, which are provided by some retailers.

You may be eligible for free returns. The National Retail Federation notes that many retailers offer free shipping on returns, which will make it much easier to get your money (or credit) back.

Expect stricter polices in some cases. One of the fastest-growing segments of retail crime is return fraud. In a 2015 study, the NRF estimated retailers lose more than $9 billion to fraudulent returns. These practices take many forms, including returning merchandise that was previously stolen and the use of fraudulent e-receipts. Included in this segment is the practice of “wardrobing,” in which someone buys an expensive item (such as a high-end cocktail dress or expensive TV) with plans to use it once, then return it. When the product is returned to the store, though, it cannot be sold as new and must be sold at a discount. To fight these practices, merchants are starting to become more aggressive about demanding to see identification, charging restocking fees and limiting their return policies.

Be patient. Keep in mind you generally have some time, so it’s not necessary to rush to the store right now. Waiting a few days can help you avoid the crowds. Many stores will still be handling returns through January.